Safe Haven - Regis College

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Regis ReduxSame Campus, Different Careerby andrew clark8REGIS TODAYNearly 30 years ago, Carolyn Smith ’83 graduatedwith a degree in political science and went on to spendthe bulk of her career working in the financial sector.These days, Smith is back at Regis, hitting the booksonce again. But the banking world is in her rear-viewmirror. In May, she is graduating with a master’sdegree in health administration.On the surface, it may seem like a complete nonsequitur. But her new career choice is actually arather organic fit.“My younger sister Patricia is disabled and I’vebeen the guardian of her,” Smith says. “And ourmother has Alzheimer’s disease and I have been hercaregiver as well. Caring for others became verynatural for me and I thought that if I could do this inmy personal life, I could do this for my professionallife as well.”For the past five years, Smith had been eyeing acareer shift. After investing so many years with managementroles in retail and mortgage banking, Smithwas ready for a 180-degree change. But for her thetiming was never right. When, in 2010, her companyconsolidated and shifted operations to Connecticut,her position was eliminated. Suddenly the timing hadto be right.Frankly, it was a blessing in disguise for Smith. Shecould finally go after her dreams. She would go backto school and retrain. But where? What program?When Smith read an issue of Regis Today and saw aprofile on Catherine Wilson, BA ’83, MS ’11, a formerclassmate from their undergraduate days, she learnedthat Wilson was a student in the health administrationprogram (she graduated this past winter). Thisnew Regis program looked very promising to Smith.Besides having all the benefits of a school she knewand loved, it was an 18-month program. It would beintense, she thought. But it wouldn’t be too much of alife commitment. She looked at other programs in theregion and thought many relied too much on onlinecourses. Ultimately, Regis was her ideal match.At the beginning of 2011, she began taking classesfull-time. From taking classes in policy to getting thechance to work in the field at an assisted-living facility,Smith is enthusiastic about her experience in theMHA program.“I’ve really enjoyed my time back at the school. Myprofessors and my classmates come from such a widevariety of backgrounds—not all of them are from ahealth care background. There are a lot of people likeme who are making a career transition themselves.Plus it’s allowed me to reconnect with the college.My mother is a Regis grad, too, so I guess this degreemakes it a triple pride.”The MHA program launched just over a year ago.Its structure is flexible, allowing individuals to spendroughly 16 months (for full-time) and two years(part-time) to complete the necessary course work.According to Smith, that is one of the most beneficialaspects of the program, as she has to balance hercaretaking responsibilities.As much as Smith loved her second time aroundat Regis, the affection has been mutual. For programdirector Mary Ann Hart, having someone with Smith’sexpansive resume is an immense asset to the program,as she is able to make the classroom a muchmore dynamic place.“Carolyn’s professional background in businessand her extensive experience navigating the healthcare system as a consumer advocate in caring forelderly relatives have made her an invaluable contributorto the health administration program atRegis,” says Hart.“Like many of our students who come to our graduateprogram embarking on a second career, she hasphoto: Kathleen Dooher
“I’m excited for thisnew beginning. Rightnow, I’m figuring outwhat I want to dowhen I grow up.”photo: Kathleen Dooherbrought her rich life experience,an enthusiasm for learning, and acommitment to applying her peopleskills and wisdom to the expanding,dynamic field of health care.”Smith currently lives in Plainvillewith her husband, Brad, who hasbeen fully supportive of her seismicshift in careers.“My husband has been my biggestcheerleader since I entered theprogram,” says Smith. “When I firststarted out, he was proofreadingand critiquing all of my papers. Butthese days, he doesn’t need to. Hejust reads the first paragraph andsays, ‘You’ve got it.’”After she graduates, Smith hasa number of different goals she isinterested in exploring. When sheentered the program, her dreamwas to be the executive director ofan independent or assisted-livingfacility. But she says that the lasttwo years have opened her up tocontemplating other career pathsthat she had never consideredbefore. Entering the field of policyis something she is weighing.Working in geriatric care and consultationare also possible optionsfor Smith. No matter what area ofhealth care she enters, Smith saysthat her ultimate goal is to spendher days helping others.“That is one of the reasons thatI decided to enter health care administration,”says Smith of having thechance to impact the lives of manythrough her work. “I’m excited forthis new beginning. Right now, I’mfiguring out what I want to do whenI grow up.”9spring 12
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